View full sizeDavid Lassman / The Post-StandardSyracuse police officers Bill Schroeder (left) and Steve Klock take photos as they investigate the scene in a vacant lot on McAlister Avenue where a body was found Saturday afternoon. The body, which has been identified as Carnell E. Marshall, had been removed from this area minutes before.

The cause of Marshall's death is still undetermined, but "there are circumstances that make this death appear to be suspicious," Syracuse police Sgt. Thomas Connellan said in a news release Sunday.

Marshall, of 113 Maris Drive, was found dead at 10:30 a.m. Saturday in a vacant lot behind Mavis Discount Tire Store, 2527 S. Salina St., police said. His residence was a little more than two miles away. Maris Drive is located south of Seneca Turnpike, while the tire store is just north of Brighton Avenue.

A man attending a seminar at the nearby Reformed Presbyterian Church found the body Saturday afternoon. The pastor, Andrew Schep, called police.

The congregation didn't know the victim's name yet this morning, but held an extended prayer for him, for peace and for justice, said Chris Huggins, a deacon at the church. Now the man has been identified, the church hopes to reach out to his family, Huggins said.

Police are asking anyone with information about Marshall or the circumstances surrounding his death to call detectives at (315) 442-5222. Police also are looking to talk to anyone who witnessed a disturbance or fight between Thursday and Saturday in the area of South Salina Street and McAllister Avenue. All calls will be kept confidential.